So, how do you know if the press loves your video game? Well, one way would be to see if Guinness decides it's the "Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever." Such has the case for 'Batman: Arkham Asylum,' released last week on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

It's a rather unscientific poll, obviously. Review scores are themselves a problematic and imprecise thing, and aggregating them only furthers the problem. It does, however, make a strong point, as we consider 'Arkham Asylum' to undoubtedly be the surprise hit of the year. Its sly combination of stealth gameplay, solid action, and well-paced Batman lore has had fans and critics alike singing its praises.

Granted, superhero games have never exactly been the gaming medium's cream of the crop; most often, they're just bold, shameless attempts to squeeze extra money out of a particular franchise, a mere addendum to a cinematic release (*cough* 'Catwoman' *cough*). Still, it's an impressive achievement, and further confirmation that Rocksteady Studios is on to something. [From: PC World]

When news started breaking on Monday morning about Disney's purchase of Marvel, artists, designers, and animators immediately began creating mashups of their favorite cartoon and comic characters. The animation aficionados at Super Punch have thankfully eliminated extensive searching and surfing by assembling an impressive arsenal of mashup creations.

The collection features some obvious concoctions like Spider-Mickey, but a few mashups definitely stand out. Both "Disney Avengers" pieces are worthy of praise, as is the "Disney vs. Marvel Universe" selection, which depicts various Disney characters fearfully fleeing the heroes. There are some neglected characters and movies that need addressing, though. Two obvious additions would be incorporating Ant-Man into Pixar's 'A Bug's Life,' or Namor the Sub-Mariner into 'The Little Mermaid.'

The manga (Japanese comics) industry in Japan has been in steady decline for the past decade, but it seems an unlikely savior has finally arrived: the cell phone. The New York Times is reporting that direct-to-cell sales of manga have jumped up 43-percent from last year -- a significant jump in and of itself, but even more impressive given the cell phone manga market's typical slow yearly growth. Reasons given for the sudden surge in business include fast cellular networks, good prices with convenient payment processes (charges simply show up on one's monthly phone bill), and the fact that manga simply looks gorgeous on a high resolution back-lit screen.

Stan Lee, the adorable, nearly senile granddaddy of Marvel Comics, has admitted that, though he isn't a "technical person," he does own an iPhone and does Google himself. At this weekend's Comic Con in San Diego, Lee was promoting his new digital motion comic (read: cheaper than animation, but still fun to watch and read) called 'Time Jumper'.

During his roundtable discussion, he spoke articulately about his projects, how he is a born storyteller who just lets the medium fall into place, and how comics have a bright future in the tech world. Despite his forward-thinking plans, Mr. Lee still thinks his iPhone is "a mystery," and hardly has time to use the computer, saying in the video above:

I have so little time that every day what I do is just Google the name 'Stan Lee,' and I Google the name 'Pow Entertainment,' to see what people are writing about me and the company. So I get a lot of things that way, but I don't have time to do any more. I'd be sitting in front of the computer all day -- which I'd love to do -- but I haven't got the time.

The on-again, off-again saga of a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) based on the Marvel comics universe continues as a projected release date has been announced. Fanboys and girls everywhere have been anxiously anticipating this game since details of its inception were released in 2006. After three years of waiting, we've now learned from Marvel and its new partner Gazillion Entertainment that we'll have to wait three more.

Originally intended as a Microsoft-Cryptic Studios release, the role-playing game was put on hold in 2008, as Microsoft and Cryptic backed out over alleged differences in licensing agreements, along with worries over competition. In mid-March of this year, Marvel announced plans for the revival of the game, as it contracted Gazillion Entertainment to bring the MMOG to fruition. Now, it projects the game to be a reality in 2012. Simon Philips, Marvel's president of worldwide consumer products, told Rick Marshall of Splash Page Blog, "It sounds like it's a long way away, but it's not. We've got to create, together with Gazillion, that environment that is going to be a totally immersive experience."

With a catalog of 5,000 characters, the Marvel Universe does provide a perfect environment for endless role-playing and limitless entertainment (as well as opportunities to fly and to shoot laser beams out of your eyes, of course). The game will reportedly include such Marvel mainstays, and big screen successes, as Wolverine, Iron Man and the Hulk, but we're really hoping the developers include our favorite Marvel character, the mostly unknown, and awesomely lame, Superpro. And, while three years may seem like forever, you might be pleased to consider this; the game should be spectacular on our new Wii 2s. [From: Evil Avatar]

Unless you've been living under a rock (or perhaps in Iraq), you've been hearing about the release of a little low-budget indie art film called 'Watchmen.' Based on the twelve-issue comic book by renowned comic writer Alan Moore -- and now available in all-in-one form as a graphic novel - 'Watchmen' is one of the most beloved franchises in all of comic-dom. And today, Warner Brothers announced that it will be publishing -- in addition to 'Watchmen: End is Nigh' for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 -- an online, multiplayer game for iPhone called 'Watchmen: Justice Is Coming.'

Described as a "multiplayer online adventure fighting game," 'Justice' lets you and thousands of other characters play at the same time in one virtual world, whose missions, areas and secrets are constantly being updated by the developers. While it's not quite as advanced as something like 'World of Warcraft' (the most popular, massively-multiplayer game ever), users can chat with and battle other characters as they move through the adventure. Players can even customize their avatars' looks and skills before hitting the mean streets of Manhattan.

'Justice' will be coming to the iPhone and iPod touch in the next couple of weeks. For more on the game, check out G4TV's video preview and interview with the developers. [From: G4TV]

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As those who have been following the news from this week's ComicCon event in New York City are well aware, Marvel announced that it will be selling its new "In-Motion" comic books in Apple's iTunes Store. The comics differ from old-school physical comics by having animated panels and voice-over work from popular actors, making them well-suited to the iPhone and iPod Touch, with their sharp screens and various multimedia capabilities.

Fret not, diehard classic comic book fans -- Marvel will release traditional paper copies of these comics (after the In-Motion versions are released on iTunes). No word yet on cost or availability.

Big-name Marvel aside, there's plenty of comics to be found online (and on mobile phones) that's optimized for the digital world. We've gone ahead and compiled a list of our favorite Web comics for your time-wasting, on-the-clock pleasure (after the break). Just remember to Control-Tab when your boss comes a-wandering by. [From: TUAW]

With newspaper subscriptions continuing to decline, cartoonists are beginning to worry, according to a report in the New York Times. Speaking on the troubles besetting newspapers' print editions, 'Pearls Before Swine' creator Stephan Pastis told the Times, "For a syndicated cartoonist, that's like finally making it to the major leagues and being told the stadiums are all closing, so there's no place to play."

In response, some have decided to built their own stadiums; many cartoonists, and the syndicates that represent them, have taken bit in teeth and turned their attention to the Internet.

The United Feature Syndicate, which represents such comic strips as 'Peanuts' and 'Dilbert,' has begun offering its full archives for free via its Web site at Comics.com. Once the site's administrators did away with a previous paid subscription policy this past November, traffic to the site jumped by nearly half.

Public Service Announcements in the medium of comics regarding the dangers of... well whatever the popular perils of the time are, have been hoisting well-intentioned gibberish on kids for generations. PSA comics have touched on everything from drugs, to smoking, to famine, and land mines.

The latest in a long heritage of comics urging you to do right comes without any super heroes or association with an established comic outlet like Marvel or DC. 'Justice Case Files' (really...) is an in-house effort from the National Center for State Courts, which we can only assume is a front for the RIAA, the most dastardly group of super villains to ever grace the pages of a comic book.

This disgrace to the label of propaganda bulges with misinformation so dense you'd have to bushwhack your way through its pages to find even a kernel of truth.

Issue one centers around Megan, a student with a file sharing addiction that puts her freedom and scholarship (seriously? jail time isn't motivation enough?) at risk. Megan is charged with Criminal Copyright Infringement by her fictional city government and faces charges at the state level that could net her a total of $25,000 in fines and 2 years in prison. Of course, in real life Criminal Copyright Infringement involves the selling of copyrighted materials, not peer-to-peer file sharing, and CCI is prosecuted by the federal government not local courts, but who's paying attention? Apparently, not the legal non-profit handing out this mumbo-jumbo.

You can download the entire comic in PDF form here, or for those with a taste for the ironic, you can search Limewire and BitTorrent. [From: Wired via: Boing Boing]

Garfield, the lasagna-loving cat, is a cultural and comics icon to some. To others, though, he's just irritating and boring. The three-panel comic strips tend to be goofy and silly, with some banter between the seemingly depressed owner Jon Arbuckle and the abusive cat. Subtract the cat, though, and the comics take on a very different and disturbing tone. That's the idea behind 'Garfield Minus Garfield,' a new Web-only comic created by Dan Walsh. The cat-less updare to the comic series has so impressed Jim Davis, creator of the original Garfield, that he is helping Walsh's creations in a book along-side the originals.

The edited comic strips, with the cat removed, turn into "a losing battle against loneliness and depression in a quiet American suburb" according to the 'Garfield Minus Garfield' site itself. Jon is depicted as talking to himself, appearing completely insane most of the time -- disturbing to say the least, and making you wonder when little animated men in white jackets will show up at the front door for him. [Source: The Telegraph]

One of the few successful "mainstream" female comic writers in the United States, Gail Simone (pictured, below) is the author of DC's 'Birds of Prey,' 'Welcome to Tranquility,' All-New Atom, and will soon take the reigns of 'Wonder Woman.' Her most recent work is for the GameTap network, which commissioned Simone to create an episode for its 'Re\Visioned: Tomb Raider Animated Series,' a 10-part animated series in which different guest animators, writers, and actors have been asked to re-imagine the backstories of a series of well-known video game characters. The first season is focused on Tomb Raider's heroine Lara Croft. Simone's contribution is "Pre-Teen Raider," which is all about a young Ms. Lara Croft (pictured, above) -- before the movie deals, before the buried treasure, before the paparazzi -- which is available now at Gametap.com. We spoke with Ms. Simone about reinterpreting one of the most illustrious icons in the video game world.


Lara Croft has become something of a sex symbol for the gamer generation. How does that fit into your portrayal of her?

It's a bit odd, in a way, because I have to confess I wasn't quite aware of how huge a sex symbol she was for the gaming community. I mean, she was always beautiful, but I always thought of her more as an adventurer and a vaguely aristocratic action heroine, than a glamour girl or pin-up babe. I think, if that's all someone sees in Lara, they're missing what makes her so entertaining. The beauty and sexiness is great, but I like the other elements in there as well. Without them, it's just another babe, which is fine, but not as interesting or complex.

Are you a gamer? Did you play much Tomb Raider?

Yeah, I'm sort of addicted to buying game systems. We have everything from the 2600 to the Vectrex to the Virtual Boy to all the next gen consoles and portables. Most are in storage but the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii get the most play in our house. That might change as the PlayStation 3 library expand, but I did actually play the last Tomb Raider all the way to the end. It was really compelling to me, as I almost never do that (with a couple exceptions--I finished Kingdom Hearts II and have no idea what happened). Fun story, great challenges, great villain. I really dug it, and that was well before I got this gig!


Give me some adjectives that you think describe Ms. Croft...

Um...this is a loaded question if ever I heard one! Okay, I'm game. Tough, haughty, agile, strong, deadly, committed, beautiful, smart, cunning, and yes, I agree, she's a hot babe.



Please tell us some things about Lara that you discovered (or made up) along the way...

Well, our story (brilliantly animated by studio Six Point Harness) takes place when she's just 12, before she really comes to her full power. But I do like to think of her as someone with a powerful sense of mischief and fun. I felt that was something lacking a bit in her films...I think she'd make some smart, snarky comments sometimes.


Lara wouldn't be much of a gamer, would she?

Oh, I wouldn't say that. Games are vastly more interactive and challenging today than they used to be, and hugely more mind-empowering than sitting back and watching television. Lara always needs to be doing something. I can see her playin' video games quite easily.


Your style is very distinctive...

I write comic books mostly, and some animation. I have written everything from very mature comics to comics specifically for very young children. I like to work on a variety of projects, which is why this appealed to me.


How long did it take to create your episode? How many people were involved?

Hmm. I'm not totally sure on that second bit...it's a small piece, really, so the long part of the job was getting approval. I had story ideas ranging from Lara in the Jurassic era to a transvestite Lara at a gaming convention. Once we got the story right, it was actually a pretty fast process.


Do you enjoy this sort of short-form, remix, web-based content? Does much of your work these days fall into this category?

Very much. I'm not doing a lot of Web-based content, but I think even the most foolish person can see that that's where we're all headed. I love the fact that so many people now can make a movie in their basement and distribute it all over the Web by that night. I think that's astonishing, and a lot of creators will benefit from having no middle-men between their work and their viewers. That's tremendously exciting.



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Fear of digital piracy has also kept many comic publishers from the online realm. But that's finally changing for Marvel, who today launches a subscription-based online service for viewing 2,500 issues sampled from their massive back-catalog.

The service, called Marvel Digital Comics, will not cannibalize existing printed comic sales by excluding anything newer than six months old. Additionally, to help prevent copying, comics will only be viewable through web browsers. And, of course, this won't be free. The site will cost $9.99 per month, or $59.88 for an entire year up-front.

As a teaser, 250 comics are available for viewing for free -- or are at least supposed to be. As of now the Marvel site is offline, likely struggling to cope with the massive influx of demand. That could be a good sign for Marvel, but whether it can maintain relevance in a world dominated by imported manga and anime like 'Naruto' and 'Fullmetal Alchemist' is the real question. And perhaps as important: Will people pay for this after they gobble up the free 250 comics?

From Newsvine and USA Today

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